Alaska is famous for its stunning wilderness, midnight sun, and frontier spirit, but not every community in the Last Frontier offers the safety you might expect from small-town life. Across the state, from remote Arctic villages to coastal fishing towns, there are communities where crime rates soar well above national averages, where isolation and harsh conditions can amplify social problems. In some of these places, residents face surprisingly high risks of violent crime, theft, or assault despite their small size and tight-knit nature.
This list counts down the 20 most dangerous small towns in Alaska, based on the latest crime data from state and federal sources. From former mining towns struggling with economic decline to remote communities grappling with substance abuse and domestic violence, each place here faces unique safety challenges. What they share is the reality that danger can lurk even in Alaska’s most picturesque and isolated corners.
20. Valdez
Population: 3,860
Crime Rate: Violent – 78 per 100,000; Property – 365 per 100,000
Valdez, terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, experiences crime rates influenced by its oil industry workforce and harsh winter conditions. Both violent and property crimes occur with alcohol-related incidents being particularly common. The town’s economic dependence on oil creates boom-bust cycles that affect community stability and safety.
19. Petersburg
Population: 3,154
Crime Rate: Violent – 120 per 100,000; Property – 870 per 100,000
Petersburg, a fishing town in Southeast Alaska, records one of the lowest crime rates on this list but still faces safety concerns. Property crimes like theft and burglary occur more frequently than violent offenses, reflecting typical challenges in seasonal fishing communities. The town’s remote location and economic dependence on fishing create unique vulnerabilities for residents.
18. Unalaska
Population: 3,697
Crime Rate: Violent – 169 per 100,000; Property – 313 per 100,000
Unalaska’s crime rates reflect the challenges of a major fishing port with a transient workforce. Property crimes spike during fishing seasons when thousands of temporary workers arrive for processing jobs. The town’s isolation in the Aleutian Islands and heavy reliance on seasonal employment contribute to higher than average theft and burglary rates.
17. Palmer
Population: 7,359
Crime Rate: Violent – 200 per 100,000; Property – 1,308 per 100,000
Palmer sits in Alaska’s Matanuska-Susitna Valley with moderate crime rates compared to other Alaskan towns. Property crimes dominate the local crime profile, with theft and burglary being primary concerns for residents. The town’s proximity to Anchorage influences its crime patterns, as urban problems sometimes spill into this agricultural community.
16. Homer
Population: 5,830
Crime Rate: Violent – 215 per 100,000; Property – 1,091 per 100,000
Homer, known as the “Halibut Fishing Capital of the World,” experiences slightly higher violent crime rates than neighboring communities. The town’s economy revolves around tourism and fishing, creating seasonal fluctuations in both population and crime. Most incidents involve property crimes, though assault cases occur with concerning frequency during peak tourist months.
15. Sitka
Population: 8,569
Crime Rate: Violent – 227 per 100,000; Property – 838 per 100,000
Sitka maintains relatively balanced crime statistics between violent and property offenses compared to other Alaskan communities. This former Russian capital experiences most of its criminal activity related to domestic disputes and alcohol-related incidents. The town’s isolation on Baranof Island limits outside criminal influences but concentrates local social problems.
14. Kenai
Population: 7,799
Crime Rate: Violent – 296 per 100,000; Property – 901 per 100,000
Kenai records troubling property crime rates that significantly exceed national averages for communities its size. The town’s location near oil refineries and military installations creates a diverse population with varying economic circumstances. Theft and burglary incidents spike during summer months when tourist activity increases and seasonal workers arrive.
13. Soldotna
Population: 4,482
Crime Rate: Violent – 304 per 100,000; Property – 1,936 per 100,000
Soldotna faces significant property crime challenges, with theft and burglary rates well above state averages. The town serves as a regional hub for the Kenai Peninsula, attracting both legitimate business and criminal activity. Drug-related offenses contribute to overall crime statistics, reflecting broader substance abuse issues affecting rural Alaska.
12. Cordova
Population: 2,297
Crime Rate: Violent – 324 per 100,000; Property – 506 per 100,000
Cordova shows a concerning trend toward violent crime despite its small population and scenic Prince William Sound location. Economic struggles following the decline of the fishing industry have contributed to social tensions and increased domestic violence incidents. The town’s remote location makes it difficult for residents to access mental health and substance abuse services.
11. Ketchikan
Population: 8,230
Crime Rate: Violent – 299 per 100,000; Property – 3,006 per 100,000
Ketchikan shows alarming property crime rates that rank among Alaska’s highest for towns of similar size. This Southeast Alaska community relies heavily on cruise ship tourism, creating seasonal crime fluctuations and opportunities for theft. The town’s compact downtown area and tourist-focused economy make visitors and businesses frequent targets for property crimes.
10. Kodiak
Population: 5,983
Crime Rate: Violent – 336 per 100,000; Property – 1,064 per 100,000
Kodiak experiences higher violent crime rates than most comparable Alaskan communities, though property crimes remain relatively moderate. The island’s fishing industry brings seasonal workers who sometimes clash with permanent residents, leading to assault and domestic violence incidents. Limited law enforcement resources on the isolated island compound public safety challenges.
9. Seward
Population: 2,602
Crime Rate: Violent – 413 per 100,000; Property – 1,410 per 100,000
Seward posts shocking crime statistics that rank among Alaska’s worst, with property crime rates reaching crisis levels. This Kenai Peninsula port town experiences massive seasonal population swings due to tourism and fishing, creating opportunities for theft and burglary. The combination of high violent crime and property crime rates makes Seward particularly dangerous for residents and visitors alike.
8. North Pole
Population: 2,969
Crime Rate: Violent – 451 per 100,000; Property – 1,927 per 100,000
North Pole faces serious crime challenges despite its small size and Christmas-themed identity. Both violent and property crime rates exceed state averages, with domestic violence and theft being particular concerns. The town’s proximity to Fairbanks military installations and its role as a bedroom community contribute to elevated crime statistics.
7. Juneau
Population: 32,099
Crime Rate: Violent – 541 per 100,000; Property – 2,812 per 100,000
Alaska’s capital city shows concerning crime trends that affect both residents and the thousands of government workers and tourists who visit annually. Property crimes dominate local statistics, with theft from vehicles and businesses being especially common during cruise ship season. Political tensions and economic pressures in the state capital contribute to elevated stress levels and crime rates.
6. Wasilla
Population: 10,469
Crime Rate: Violent – 559 per 100,000; Property – 3,781 per 100,000
Wasilla records some of Alaska’s highest property crime rates, with residents facing substantial risks of theft and burglary. The town’s rapid growth and sprawling development have outpaced law enforcement resources, creating opportunities for criminal activity. Drug-related offenses and domestic violence contribute significantly to overall crime statistics in this Mat-Su Valley community.
5. Utqiagvik (Barrow)
Population: 4,927
Crime Rate: Violent – 586 per 100,000; Property – 1,515 per 100,000
Utqiagvik, America’s northernmost city, faces unique public safety challenges intensified by extreme isolation and harsh Arctic conditions. Violent crime rates significantly exceed national averages, with domestic violence and assault being persistent problems. The community’s dependence on alcohol shipments and limited mental health resources contribute to elevated crime rates during the long polar night.
4. Fairbanks
Population: 31,427
Crime Rate: Violent – 594 per 100,000; Property – 3,995 per 100,000
Fairbanks shows alarming crime statistics across both violent and property offense categories, ranking among Alaska’s most dangerous communities. The city’s extreme winter temperatures, military presence, and role as an interior transportation hub create a volatile mix of social problems. Drug trafficking, domestic violence, and property theft occur at rates well above national averages for cities of similar size.
3. Bethel
Population: 6,548
Crime Rate: Violent – 848 per 100,000; Property – 736 per 100,000
Bethel experiences extremely high violent crime rates that far exceed national averages, making it one of Alaska’s most dangerous communities. This Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta hub struggles with substance abuse, domestic violence, and assault incidents that reflect broader social problems in rural Alaska. Limited law enforcement and social services compound the town’s public safety challenges.
2. Kotzebue
Population: 3,089
Crime Rate: Violent – 1,469 per 100,000; Property – 1,367 per 100,000
Kotzebue faces a violent crime epidemic that devastates this Arctic community, with assault and domestic violence rates reaching shocking levels. Located above the Arctic Circle, the town struggles with substance abuse, social isolation, and limited access to mental health services. The extreme remoteness and harsh living conditions intensify social problems and contribute to one of Alaska’s highest violent crime rates.
1. Nome
Population: 3,710
Crime Rate: Violent – 1,513 per 100,000; Property – 743 per 100,000
Nome stands as Alaska’s most dangerous small town, with violent crime rates that shock even by Alaska standards. This former gold rush town on the Bering Sea coast struggles with epidemic levels of assault, domestic violence, and alcohol-related crimes that far exceed national averages. The combination of extreme isolation, substance abuse problems, and limited social services creates a perfect storm for criminal activity in this historic but troubled community.
References
- AreaVibes – Petersburg Crime Data
- AreaVibes – Palmer Crime Data
- AreaVibes – Homer Crime Data
- AreaVibes – Sitka Crime Data
- AreaVibes – Unalaska Crime Data
- AreaVibes – Cordova Crime Data
- AreaVibes – Valdez Crime Data
- AreaVibes – Soldotna Crime Data
- AreaVibes – Kenai Crime Data
- AreaVibes – Ketchikan Crime Data
- AreaVibes – Kodiak Crime Data
- AreaVibes – North Pole Crime Data
- AreaVibes – Juneau Crime Data
- AreaVibes – Wasilla Crime Data
- AreaVibes – Utqiagvik (Barrow) Crime Data
- AreaVibes – Fairbanks Crime Data
- AreaVibes – Bethel Crime Data
- AreaVibes – Seward Crime Data
- AreaVibes – Kotzebue Crime Data
- AreaVibes – Nome Crime Data
